The sole incumbent was Wilhelm Pieck of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), elected on 11 October 1949[2] and re-elected in 1953 and in 1957.

On assuming office, the president of the Republic took the following oath before a joint session of the Volkskammer and the Landerkammer:[4] I swear that I will dedicate my strength to the welfare of the German people, that I will defend the Constitution and the laws of the Republic, that I will discharge my duties conscientiously and do justice to all.The president of the Republic might be recalled before the expiration of his term by a joint resolution of the Volkskammer and the Landerkammer.

If such incapacity is expected to continue for a protracted period, a substitute was to be appointed by (a specific) law.

Although he served as co-chairman of the SED alongside Prime Minister Otto Grotewohl from 1949 to 1950, he never played a major role in the party.

After Wilhelm Pieck had died in 1960, the presidency was abolished in favor of a collective body, the State Council.

After the Peaceful Revolution, there were plans to reintroduce the office of the president of the Republic by constitutional law from 1990 onward, which did not happen in the course of German reunification.